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Essay / A Discussion on Elder Abuse and Prevention Issues
Table of ContentsIntroductionCommunity AssessmentConclusionIntroductionToday, elder abuse is widespread and always occurs in their homes, in the homes of loved ones, and can also occur produce in health care facilities that are supposed to take good care of them. Most older people are frail, elderly, and vulnerable and cannot help themselves and rely on others to meet their basic needs (Anetzberger, 2012, p. 13). Besides abuse, older people are also exposed to neglect from family members, caregivers, friends, etc. Laws have been approved in all 50 states to prevent elder abuse and vary from state to state, but abuse is broadly defined and can include: physical abuse that involves inflicting pain on an elderly person through bruising, slapping, etc., sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment, self-neglect, and psychological abuse (Anetzberger, 2012, p. 14). Say no to plagiarism. . Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay This article is going to provide a clear elaboration of the different forms of elder abuse and neglect and their causes. It will also review existing literature based on elder abuse within the society or nation (Kosberg, 2013 np). The study is based on peer-reviewed sources and other journals that provide significant information about the abuse of other elders. The sources that will be used in this article are multidisciplinary in the sense that they encompass all aspects of life such as financial, social, psychological, physical or sexual. Elder abuse or neglect is always considered intentional or unintentional. Based on existing research, we can see that elder abuse often occurs where the elderly person lives, that is, where the perpetrators are primarily the elderly's spouses or partners, adult children or any other family member, for example grandchildren (Anetzberger, 2012 p.13). . - The extent of elder abuse has attracted much research and speculation since the problem was recognized more than half a century ago. Reports from previous investigations indicate that elder abuse was common. This is evident from the fact that four thirds of healthcare staff have witnessed psychological or physical violence against an elderly person and two thirds of them have already participated in an act of elder abuse. From the literature reviewed on elder abuse, it is inferred that 80 percent of investigations explore elder abuse in a domestic or community setting and 20 percent focus primarily on elder abuse in residential care facilities and retirement homes. Studies are distributed evenly based on a survey of older adults within a country and the use of clinical samples of older adults residing in health care settings or in a social service setting. Community Assessment For an effective community response, the response to elder abuse will involve multiple stakeholders working collaboratively, and each group develops its distinctive strengths toward an overall goal (McGarry, 2012).